Can You Have Underfloor Heating With Wooden Floors?

Satisfied Cat on a warm wooden floor

When customers are considering potential heating systems for their homes, one of the questions that we’re commonly asked is ‘can you have underfloor heating with wooden floors?’. Underfloor heating is one of the most efficient ways to heat a property and wooden flooring is a popular interior design classic, so we’re not surprised that so many people want to combine the two.

If you’re reading this article then you yourself are likely to be wondering ‘can you have underfloor heating with wooden floors?’. Well, it’s good news as the answer is yes, absolutely you can install wooden flooring over an underfloor heating system. Let’s take a closer look at why this is possible.

What Makes Flooring Suitable?

So we’ve determined that the answer to the question of ‘can you have underfloor heating with wooden floors?’ is in fact yes, now let’s take a minute to explain why wooden floors are such a good match.

When choosing flooring that will support an effective and cost-efficient underfloor heating system you need to look at materials that offer good conductivity. A floor with good conductivity is one that allows the heat being generated by the heating system to pass easily through the floor surface in order to warm the room. Tile or stone is usually considered the best flooring for this as it conducts heat quickly and retains it for longer, however wood is also a good choice. Thick materials with low conductivity on the other hand, such as a very thick carpet, will prevent heat from reaching the room causing energy wastage and higher heating bills.

Pairing underfloor heating with a wooden floor will create an efficient and stable heat output. It is important to note however that certain woods will be more effective than others at conducting heat and that’s why it’s important to consider the type of wood you are using for your flooring.

What Type Of Wood Floor Is Best?

When answering the question, ‘can you have underfloor heating with wooden floors?’, it’s essential to emphasise the importance of choosing the right wood. Yes, you can have underfloor heating with wooden floors, however, every wood has a different thermal property that affects how effective it is at conducting heat transferred from under the floor. As a general rule, the denser and thinner the floorboards are the better they are at conducting heat and the more suited they are to underfloor heating systems.

As a result, engineered timber is the best choice of wood. Engineered wood responds much better to changes in temperature as it has been manufactured to do so. Heating wood changes the moisture content which is why it’s so important to select a wood that can adapt to this changing moisture content. Engineered wood can do just that and is also thin enough that it doesn’t block the heat coming up through the floor.

Some solid woods can also be used for underfloor heating, however, they are not as effective at conducting heat as engineered wood. Solid wood floors take longer to heat up and require a higher level of heat to have the same impact as tile or stone floors. If solid wood exceeds 27 degrees celsius, changes in the moisture content can cause flexing.

As a general rule of thumb, you should always consult an expert before deciding on the best flooring to use with your underfloor heating, and at Pipelife Eco we are always happy to help advise our customers on the best match for their heating system. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our friendly and knowledgeable team today with any queries you may have.

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